SU's 'party school' rep lures British reality TV cast to drink its way through Syracuse

A crew from British TV show 'Campus Crashers' films a segment of the show at The Blue Tusk in Syracuse. Local beer blogger Gloria Rakowsky has her back to the camera as she explains American craft beer to the female cast members.

And that brought a film crew and cast from a British TV show called "Campus Crashers" to town in the past week, to check out the local drinking scene and customs. SU and Syracuse were the first stops on what will be 10-city tour, featuring trips to such campuses as Penn State, LSU, West Virginia, Florida State and Texas.

Isaac Rubenstein of Middle Ages Brewing Co. in Syracuse gives a tour to members of the cast and crew of 'Campus Crashers,' a British reality TV show.

The reality show follows the adventures of three men and three women -- all British -- as they try to learn all about the drinking and partying scene.

Gloria Rakowsky of Syracuse, right, has beers with two members of the British show 'Campus Crashers' at The Blue Tusk in Syracuse.

According to a story Wednesday at thenewshouse.com, the crew partied hard -- dancing and drinking -- at Chuck's Cafe near campus Tuesday night, the last night of their visit. But producer Joe Madigan also told thenewshouse.com reporter Sade A. Spence that the young cast members want to experience the "American dream through the eyes and experiences of American college students."

Rakowsky said she was contacted by the producers to help the three female cast members because she runs a local Meet Up group called Syracuse Women of Craft Beer.

Although the British have a long beer tradition -- and helped spur the American craft beer movement -- the young cast members told Rakowsky that drinking in the pubs there now is a little old-fashioned.

"I actually gave them some advice on some lighter beers to help them get started," Rakowsky said.

"Campus Crashers" is slated to air by the end of the year, but no word yet on where it will be broadcast or whether it will be available in the United States.